Spotify abandons Car Thing device: what you need to know

Digital music service Spotify plans to abandon its Car Thing product, rendering it completely unusable by the end of the year.

The Car Thing – a device that allowed users to access their accounts and play music through car speakers – has been discontinued and will no longer be available for use until December 9, 2024, Spotify said. The company has decided to discontinue the hardware in an attempt to “improve” its “product offering.”

“We understand this may be disappointing, but this decision allows us to focus on developing new features and improvements that will ultimately provide a better experience for all Spotify users,” Spotify said on its website.

The device, Spotify’s “first hardware product,” was made publicly available in February 2022. It’s especially useful for users who don’t have newer cars with music-friendly features and apps like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Instead of simply discontinuing the product, Spotify says none of its Car Things services will be operational until December. This means that users will not be able to use the product at all.

Instead, Spotify advises its customers to factory reset their device and dispose of it properly, as it is considered electronic waste and should not simply be thrown in the trash. Officials said the company is not offering any replacements and has no plans to release a new version of the product.

Since the news, customers have taken to social media to express their frustration with Spotify and the company’s decision to “lock” the device, meaning it will no longer be accessible or responsive at all. Some customers said they had asked the company to allow users to continue accessing the device even after it was recalled, while others wanted their money back.

Some users reported that they were able to receive a loan for the amount they paid for their car. Spotify didn’t specifically mention anything about refunds for Car Thing on its website.

More information about Spotify Car Thing’s discontinuation can be found on their website here.